To Hell and back: The 2019 Marine Raider Competition

On June 12, Marines from across the Marine Corps’ special operations units gathered in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to participate in the 2019 Marine Raider Competition.

Six teams, each comprised of six spec ops Marines, competed for the glory of being awarded the title of best Marine Raider. The six teams hailed from the 1st Marine Raider Battalion (1st MRB), 2nd Marine Raider Battalion (2nd MRB), 3rd Marine Raider Battalion (3rd MRB), the Marine Raider Training Center (MRTC), and the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, respectively.

“The endurance coupled with the strength needed for some of the events was one of the most taxing parts of the competition,” said a Marine Raider with the MRTC team, who also serves as an assessment and selection (A&S) land navigation instructor, in a statement to DVIDS. “Trying to pace ourselves and make sure we were maintaining hydration throughout the events while pushing through all the aches and pains was the most mentally straining aspect.”

The biggest challenge of the competition was a 15-mile ruck march peppered with various tasks and tests. The teams had to conduct stress shooting, breaching tests, casualty evacuation, paddling in Zodiac inflatable boats, and rappelling. Throughout the multiple events, each competitor carried a rucksack weighing a minimum of 45 pounds, plus their combat load.

“When it came to preparing, our biggest challenge was finding adequate time to train,” added the A&S land navigation instructor from the MRTC team. “We got hit with some penalties because of that, but we did our best to communicate with each other and help each other through the events.”

“Going in we were expecting to be the fastest team,” said Sergeant Adam Terrazas from the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion team. “I think we came out of the gate too strong, which affected us negatively because we started to break off a little and get dehydrated, but ultimately, we were able to put our minds together at each event and help one another get through the challenges.”

The Marine Raider Competition is an annual event hosted by Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) with the goal of fostering camaraderie and testing the operational capabilities of its operators. MARSOC is young compared to its sister spec ops commands. At 13 years old, the command has faced many challenges in convincing skeptics—both within the Marine Corps and outside—of its utility and effectiveness. When everyone is competing for shrinking budgets, that ain’t easy.

Feature image: Operational Detachment Alpha Special Forces Soldiers and Marines with 1st Marine Raider Support Battalion conduct movement to a Landing Zone for a low altitude drop resupply at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, Calif., Aug 5, 2018. The purpose of this training was for Army Special Forces and MARSOC to improve upon their joint training techniques. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William Chockey).